The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-17
CALIFORNIA; SHAME.
The Movement for Furnishing the Gang of
Corruptionists Takes Tangible Shape.
pecial to the Indianapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Oct 16.-Never since
the early days of theVigi.antes has San Francisco
been so thoroughly aroused to the realization Of
the corruption seething in its midst as now
What little success was obtained in melting out
punishment to few of those implicated only
seems to have whetted the desire to make a
thorough cleanup of the nefarious pursuit of
judge andH jury bribery. One more step was
gained in this direction during the past week,
though not advantageous as it would appear
on the surface. The conviction of jury
briber Emerson. who pleaded guilty of
attempt to bribe juror. in the Little
Pete" case, hailed at first as q great
victory, but mature reflection has made clear
the fact that his conviction was really vicarious
sacrifice for nsuring the safety of others who
hold higher position than lawyers clerk. 1t
has been a matter of public comment that he
was paid a large sum of money to forego trial
and plead guilty, in order to prevent a thorough
investigation of the case, which would uudoubt-
edly lead to dangerous disclosures and impli-
cate the masters of ring Of jury .bribers
whose fountain head is generally stated to be
Chris A. Buckley. notorious political
boss of Bush street. This judcious disposal
of Emerson and the gaeging by the
same influence OF Little Pete. who is now
imprisoned at Folsom for bribery, will possibly
prevent the moral probe entering further in a
direction which might bring it up against Buck
ley and his principal lieutenants. The alleged
attempt to bribe Judge Sullivan in the cele-
brated Sharon divorce sank out of sight
like meteor dropping into the ocean when
Judge Sullivan testified before the grand jury
that no such attempt was made. This much
chagrined D. 5. Terry. who made the charge
The basis of his allegation was merely q street
rumor and so an anxiously anticipated sensa-
ton fizzled out Another trail. and that hot
one. is now being followed in attempt to pun
nish some of those charged with jury-ixing in
the of Wright VS.. The Gerry-street Rail-
road Notwithstanding that Creighton, already
convicted in this connection. has fled, and
the principal witnesses have cent out Of
the country. the prosecution of those believed to
be the instgators of the crime is being vigor-
ously carried on. OF these two are r. S. Nor
row and James McCord. the former repured
millionaire and the latter also a wealthy man,
with the powerful influence of promInent per-
sons at his command Though many express
small hopes of securing conviction in either
case. yet others say il milionaires have been
convicted in New York and Chicago of similar
crimes. why cannot the same be done here2 To
such an extent the best people of the city
organization has been formed. said TO
have at it's head W. 7. Coleman. whose name
has been mentioned in connection with the
chief magistracy of this country, and who has
figured head of the Vigantes in their good
work of the early days. 1t is known as the
COMMITTEE of Necessity and is composed OF
one hundred members, who subscribe So TIL
ly to q fund which is to be used in aiding the
grand jury in its work of purifying municipal
matters in general and prosecuting these jury
bribing cases in particular The latest phase of
the Morrow case was his being cast into Jail
Saturday, notwithstanding that he under
$50, 900 bonds to appear for trial. The prosecu-
tion evidently does not mean to take any chances
in the matter.